Automatic power system



Aug. 26, 1930 H. c. THORNE AUTOMATIC POWER SYSTII FilQd July 51, 1919 2Shah-Shut. 1

fl- 6, 1930. H. c. THORNE 1,774.492

AUTOMATIC POWER SYSTBI Filed July 31. 1919 2 Shun-Shut 2 fmrenlor.

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Patented Aug. 26, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC HAROLD c. THORNE,- orDISTRICT or COLUMBIA AUTOMATIC rowan SYSTEM Application filed July 31,1919. Serial 110. 314,534.

This invention relates to systems of autostarted and thereafter isclosed by a speed matic electrical power distribution and formsresponsive device connected with either a continuation in art of thesubject-matter the engine or dynamo; the other throttle of applicationSer1al No. 271,432, filed J anuvalve is normallyclosed or nearly closedand 5 ary 16, 1919. is opened in proportion to the amount ofThe'invention deals with improvements in current flowing through thetranslating deprime mover dynamo plants'comprising dy- Vices by anelectromagnetic control device namos connected with internal combustionin the circuit. The connection with the first engines to be driventhereby. In this comthrottle valve may also be operatively conbinationthere is provided a suitable centrifnected with a suitable choke forenriching the 60 ugal clutch in the connection between the fuel mixtureduring the starting of the enmachines, whereby the engine ma run idlygine. until it maintains suflicient spee to prop- The fuel supply tankmay also be provided erly drive the dynamo, thus eliminating the with aswitch operating mechanism which necessityof starting under loa,d Thereis Will render the system inoperative in case 65 also provided in thisconnection, a, centrifuthere is'insufiicient fuel to start the enginegal speed regulator for connecting the dyand thus avoid deterioration ofthe starting namo to the engine whereby the dynamo may means. be drivenat an evenspeed which may be This invention further provides for usingsomewhat less than the speed of the engine a single or double unitelectric starting and 70 for reasons to be hereinafter set forth. SuchCharging unit with electromagnetic means a connection not only affordsmeans for low connected with the charging unit for opera starting powerand a constant and even speed tlvcly connecting the power mains with andof the dynamo, but also a'flexible connection disconnecting them fromthe dynamo indebetween the machines. pendent of the dynamo itself. 75

Th power mains from the dynamo ma- Further objects and details of theinvenchines are connected with relays and various tion will appear, asdescribed in connection control devices, whereby when a circuit is withthe accompanying drawings, and hereclosed across them as throughtranslating deinafter set forth and claimed.

vices, circuits will be closed for applying In the drawings, 8 startingenergy and ignition current to the Figure 1 is a diagrammaticrepresentation internal combustion engine; when the circuit of myinvention;

across the power mains is opened the igni- Figures 2 and 3 are detailviewson an ention circuit will be broken and stop the enlarged scalepartly in section taken on lines gine. 2--2 and 3+3 of Figure 1; 85

A switch may also be in the-Cl1Clllt 0f the Figure 4 is an enlargeddiagrammatic power mains connected with the fuel chamber representationf th f 1 t k; in such a manner as to open circuit the mains Figure 5 isa diagram representing a d 40 In case the fitelsupply shwld be ificationof my invention in which a single electromagnetic control device, foracting unit Starter may be employed; and h centnfugal speed t a m tFigure 6 is a fragmentary diagram showconnection between the machinesmay be lni g a Slight change in connect-ions.

serted in the power mains in series with the translating devices,whereby all current con- In Figure 19f the drawmg the POWer b he load ma,flow throu h the lie ter 1 e p y e current to the p m 35:22: fl p t thspeed {f th i g may b latlng device, represented at 2 through mainsincreased as the load increases. 3 nd 4 when swltches 5 are closed, maybe The internal combustion engine may be h l a dlrect or. al atmgcurrent genprovided with" two throttle valves,pone of erator; and may bec0uple d wlthap internal which remains wide open until the engine hascombustion engine 6, by meahsof a cent ifu gal clutch and centrifugalspeed regulator connection 7.

An electric starting motor 8 and charging generatort) are suitablyconnected with the internal combustion engine. As illustrated a casing10 is provided for enclosing the driving connections between theinternal combustion engine, charging generator and motor; any suitableform of connection may be employed, for the motor and generator whichare part of a double unit starting and charging system.

The storage battery 11, adapted to operate the starting unit, alsoprovides an initial potential across the power mains'QB and 4, such asto pass a current through a suitable relay 12, which will. he termed astarting relay when a translating device switch 5 is closed. Thiscompletes the circuit from the battery through main 4, relay 25, switch5, translating device 2, main 3 on through the generator 1, armature 24,relay l2 and back to the battery. Energizing relay 12 causes itsarmature 13 to rise and connect the battery 11 with conductors 14 and15. Connecting the battery with conductor 14 completes the circuitthrough conductors 14 and 16, the ignition system 17, and conductors 18and 19, to the battery again. The circuit is also made through conductor15, starting motor 8, and conductors 20 and 19 to the battery. Thiscauses the motor to turn the engine over for starting and renders theignition system, which may be of any desired form, operative for runningthe engine.

After the engine has started and the charging generator is driven withsufficient speed to generate the required potential, relay 21 with whichit is connected by conductors 20, 19, 22 and 23 will be energized. Thearmature 21 of relay 21 will rise and connect main 4 with the powergenerator 1, which will also be driven at sufficient speed to supply theproper current to the translating devices 2. When the armature 24 risesit opens the circuit of the battery 11 through the starting relay 12,tie-energizing the same. However, the ignition system will remainoperative since a relay 25 connected in main 1 will be energized as longas current flows through it and the translating devices from thegenerator l. Energizing relay 25 will cause its armature 26 to rise andconnect the battery 11 with conductor 27 which connects with conductor1G in the same manner as conductor 14; thus the circuit from the batteryfor rendering the ignition system operative is maintained closed afterthe starting relay is de energized.

It will be seen by these connections that when the relay 21 operates thestarting relay is de-energized and current will no longer be supplied tothe starting motor; in this way the current will only be supplied to themotor as long as necessary for starting the engine and is thereafter cutoff. Thus the connection of the starting motor with the engine (notshown) may be rendered inoperative as well as the current supplied to itbeing cutoff.

In order to recharge the battery 11 a relay 28 operative only at ahigher voltage than the E. M. F. of the battery 11 is connectedwith'conductors 22 and 23, whereby the charging generator 9, which isconnected with these conductors will operate this relay when it isgenerating sufficient potential. Vhen the armature 29 of relay 28 rises,the circuit is closed from the generator 9 through conductors 23. 30 and31, battery 11. conductors 1E) and 20, back to the generator; thusrendering the generator operative for charging the battery.

\Vhen all the switches 5 are opened so that no current will flow fromthe generator 1, relay 25 will be deenergized, its armature 26 willfall, opening the circuit operating the ignition system, and the enginewill stop. As the speed of charging generator decreases and consequentlyits potential, armature 21 of relay 21 will fall opening the circuit ofthe power main 1, and armature 29 of relay will fall disconnecting thebattery 11 from the generator. The switches and relay armatures will allbe in their open or normal inoperative positions, as shown in full linesin the drawings, and ready to automatically start the engine whenever acircuit, is closed across the, power mains 8 and 4.-.

In large installations it is desirable to provide means whereby theengine can be started with a minimum amount of power, therefore it isadvisable to provide a centrifugal clutch in the connection 7, wherebythe engine may be started and operate on its own power at a low speedand the clutch will operate to connect the engine with the generator asthe speed increases. Any desirable form of centrifugal clutch may beemployed for this purpose, but in the drawings a compact connectionincluding a centrifugal clutch and centrifugal speed regulator is shown.

The centrifugal clutch part of the connection 7, shown in Figures 1 and2, comprises a suitable supporting member 32, in the form of a collarconveniently fastened upon the internal combustion engine shaft Thissupporting member is provided with driving rods 34 on opposite sides ofthe engine shaft upon which are slidingly mounted the clutch shoes 35.The clutch shoes are provided with the usual gripping surfaces which areadapted to coact with the inner cylindrical surface 36 of the connection7, and are provided with tension springs 87 for normally maintainingthem out of engagement when the engine is not operating, or is operatingat a low speed.

In order to maintain the generator 1 at a constant and even speed whendriven by the internal combustion engine a centrifugal speed regulatorof any desired form is provided. The speed regulator illustrated inFigs. 1 and 3 in the connection 7 comprises a supporting member 38mounted on the generator shaft 39 in a manner similar to supportingmember 32 of the clutch on the engine shaft. This supporting memberprovides means for pivotally mounting the clutching members 40 011opposite sides of the generator shaft. These clutching members are eachprovided at adjacent ends with gripping shoes 41 normally tightlypressed into engagement with the inner cylindrical surface 42 of theconnection 7 by means of a compression spring 43. The opposite ends ofthe clutching members are in the form of weights I 44, adapted to bethrown out and release the engagement of the gripping shoes 41 andsurface 42, by centrifugal force, should the speed of dynamo become toogreat. The speed for the operation of the speed regulator may be onceadjusted to the proper speed and then assembled, or an form of adjustingmeans may be employe for changing the speed at which the devlce isoperative to declutch, as

for example, adjustable end pieces 45 for the compression spring whichmay be screwed into and out of the ends of the gripping shoes forvarying the amount of compression on the spring 43.

The speed regulator may be adjusted so that the generator 1 will bedriven ata lower speed than the engine at no load and 'anelectromagnetic device may be provided in one of the power mains fromthe generator which will act upon the speed regulator in a manner tocause the engine to drive the generator at a higher speed as the currentincreases in the power mains. In Figures 1 and 3, a solenoid 46 isrepresented mounted between the-weights 44 of the clutching members andadapted to operate plungers 47 attached to the weights in a manner todecrease the effective force with which the weights act to declutch thegripping elements. The electrical connections 48 of the solenoid may besuitably connected in one of the power mains leading from the generator1, as by slip rings (not shown). Thus as the load on the generatorincreases, consequently the current in the solenoid 46, theeffectiveness of the weights will be decreased and the generator 1 willbe driven at a greater speed.

It will be noted that the connection 7 forming drums for the clutch andspeed regulator the shafts and also a bearing for the ends of theshafts. This assists in properly alining the machines and it will alsoprovide a driving connection between them even if they should not beexactly in alinement. This connection with the clutch and speedregulator provides means for driving the generator be overcome by theyielding of these devices.

To facilitate starting of the engine, means may be provided whereby thethrottle may be fully opened upon starting, and, if desired, thecarbureter may be choked. In accomplishing this the carburetor 51 inFigure 1 of the drawing is represented as having two throttle valves 52and 53, for communications between themixing chamber 54 and the intakemanifold 55. The valve 52 has an operating rod 56 for vclosingits port57 between the chambers by means of aspeed responsive device (not shown)driven from the shaft of the engine or of the dynamo adapted to thrustthe rod up to close the valve when the engine has begun to operate onits own power. choking valve 58 adapted to normally close or nearlyclose the air port 59 of the mixing chamber when the engine is notrunning may be suitably pivoted at 60 and connected at 61 to 'theoperating rod 56, whereby it will be withdrawn from the air port whenthe engine starts.

The other valve 53 is designed to normally close or nearly close theaperture 62 and to be operated by means of a solenoid 63 connected inone'of the power mains from the generator 1. When current flows fromgenerator lothrough solenoid 63 and the translating devices, thesolenoid tends to increase the Y size of the opening or the throttlethrough aperture 62; valve 53 may be so designed as to vary the amountof fuel mixture passing through in proportion with the load or toincrease the speed proportionally as the load current increases. Thusthe generator may be driven at a constant speed or a proportionallygreater speed. The speed regulator in the connection 7 may be regulatedto drive the engine at substantially the same speed as the internalcombustion engine at all loads and do away with any unnecessary wearbetween the friction elements due to variation in speeds of the engineand generator.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, liquid fuel may be supplied to thecarburetor 51 through a tube 64 leading from the fuel tank 65. In thistank is shown a float 66 attached to a lever 67 which is pivoted in thetank at 68.- A link 69 is connected with the other end of lever 67 by apin and slot connection 70and 71, as better shown in Figure 4 of thedrawing. Thislink 69 extends upward through the top of the tank 65, andis conheated at 72 with a suitable switch lever 7 3 which is pivoted at74 to a suitable support which may be in a casing (not shown) adjacentthe top of the fuel tank. The lever 73 iao may be provided with a pin orroller adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed cam 76. which may bepart of the spring itself, if desired, for the purpose ofmaintaining theswitch lever 73 positively in its upper or lower positions; for purposesof illustration this spring pressed cam is in the position shown howeverit may be placed in any position along the switch lever desired, as forinstance to engage an extension of the lever to the left of the pivot74. The switch lever is provided with a contact piece 77 suitablymounted thereon and adapted to engage terminal contacts 78 and 79arranged in one of the power mains from gen-- erator 1.

It will be seen, by this construction, the contact piece of the switchlever be urged by the spring pressed cam 76 into engagement with theterminal contacts 7 8 and 79 until it has been disengaged by the link69, when it will open with a snap movement, and prevent any arcingbetween the contacts. In Figure 1 of the drawing the float 66isrepresented near the bottom of the tank in which position the pin 70engages the top of slot 71 in link 69 where it will remain until thefuel lowers sufliciently for the weight of the float to overcome thespring pressed cam 7 6 whereupon it will force the switch open. InFigure 4; the float is rep resented in a position with its pin it) nearthe bottom of slot 71. which position it takes when suflicient fuel hasbeen poured into the tank to cause the float to operate the link 69 toclose the switch. The slot 71 in the link permits the float 66 tooperate through a greater distance than a tight connection would allowand also permits the spring pressed cam member 76 to perform itsfunction with greater freedom.

Figure 5 of the d rawing illustrates the circuits employed tor a singleunit starting system which will operate to start the engine andconnectthe power mains with the generator. In this modification, thepower mains 3 and 4 are connected with the generator and translatingdevices which are not necessary to be illustrated, since they are fullyshown in Figure 1,alsoin the priorapplication heretofore referred to.Relay 80 is similar to the relays of said prior application and may beone relay having low resistance winding 81, and in series therewith, ahigh resist ance winding 82 or the windings 81 and 82, may be used ontwo separate relays asfully set forth in the prior application.Connected with relay 80 is the storage battery 88 which is adapted toenergize it when a circuit is made across the power mains 8 and 4s Vhenrelay 80 is energized armature 84, will be raised and connect thebattery with the conductors 85 and 86. Thus the ignition system (notshown) which is connected with conductors 86 and 87, will be renderedopthat will

erative and the battery will be connected with the starting and,charging dynamo (not ture 89 to connect the power generator directlythrough winding 81 of relay 80 is con nected by conductors 90 and 91with conductors 85 and 87 which in turn are connected with the startingand charging dynamo and battery 83. This relay is so designed as tooperate, similar to relay 28, in Figure 1, at a higher potential thanthe E. M. F. of the battery whereby it will close the circuit only whilethe starting and charging dynamo is generating sutticient potential.

The operation of this modification is the same as the operation of thegenerator and prime mover of Figure 1. \Vhen a circuit is made acrossthe power mains 3 and 4, battery 83 will energize relay 80 and connectthe battery with the starting and charging dynamo, and the ignitionsystem. Upon the engine reaching its proper speed relay 88 will connectthe power generator through winding 81 of relay 80 and the power mains 3and 4. Winding 81 maintains relay 80 energized as long as current flowsthrough the power mains and when the current ceases the armature 84-will fall opening the circuits from the battery to the ignition systemand to the starting and charging dynamo.

In Figures 1 and 5 of the drawings, relay 21 of Figure 1 andcorresponding relay 88 of Figure 5 are illustrated as operating anarmature establishing a circuit from the generator 1 to power main 4,however, this could operate to connect either or both power mains withthe generator 1 as desired. In the claims the terminology connecting thepower mains with the generator is construed broadly to contemplate thismatter, either or both power mains. For purposes of illustration Figure(3 shows an arrangement of relay 9:2 correspom'ling to relays 21 and 88for operating to connect both power mains 8 and 4-. Relay 92 is shown ashaving two armatures 93 and 94: for convenience of illustration, forconnecting the mains with the generator. Armature 93 corresponds witharmatures 24 and 89 in Figures 1 and 5 and armature 94 is shown asnormally in an upper position to be drawn down to connect the powermain. In the normal upper'position of armature 94 it connects main 3with conductor 95 which serves to make a complete circuit for startingwhen a translating device switch is closed in the manner as thegenerator 1 does in Figures 1 and 3. In this form of connections thelower contacts 96 and 97 for armatures 24 and 89 are omitted andconductor 95 may be connected with the relay 12 at 98 and battery 83 at99. The operation of the devices when so connected is the same as in thecase of only one main being disconnected at the relay.

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In Figure 1 it is pointed out that relays 21 and 28 are represented asseparate relays, however, these could be combined into one relay adaptedto perform the same functions. Likewise, relay 25 and solenoid 63 couldbe combined into one electromagnetic device to perform the functions ofboth of them, if desired. Further, relays 21 and 28 could be dispensedwith altogether and a speed re sponsive device driven from either theengine or dynamo shaft could be used to mechanically operate toestablish the connections made It will be understood that the forms of'relays and other apparatus shown in the diagrams is merely for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and that anydesired suitable types of relays and other apparatus may be used.

I do not wish to limit myself to any'ofthe specific constructions ormodes of operation described above in this specification for purpose ofgivin examples or illustrations of employment 0 my invention, for itwill be obvious that wide departure from the above may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of my invention, which is as setforth in the following claims.

What I claim is:

'1. The combination of a dynamo with a prime mover for driving the same,and external power mains for supplying current to translating devices,means for starting the prime mover when a translating device isconnected with said power mains, storage means connected with theexternal power mains for supplying energy to said starting means, meansfor disconnecting said storage means from the external power mains afterthe prime mover has started, and means for supplying energy to saidstorage means and operating to connect the supply mains with saiddynan'lo'during the operation of the prime mover.

2. The combination of a dynamo and a prime mover for driving the same,starting and charging apparatus for startingv the prime mover, astarting relay for said apparatus, and a relay operated by the chargingmeans of said apparatus for eliminating thestarting relay after theprime mover has started. v

3. The comblnationof a dynamo and a prime mover for driving the same,starting and charging apparatus for starting the prime mover, a startingrelay for said apparatus, a relay operated by the charging means of saidapparatus for operatively connecting the dynamo with its load circuitafter the prime mover has started.

4. An automatic electric power system comprising a dynamo with a primemover and electric start-ing. and charging means connected therewith, asystem including lelays connected so as to start the prime mover when acircuit is closed across power mains from the dynamo and to open thesame to stop the prime mover when the circuits across said power mainsare open, and electromagnetic means operated by thecharging means forconnecting the power mains with the dynamo during the operation of theprime mover.

5. An automatic electric power system comprising a dynamo with a primemover and, electric starting and charging means connected therewith, anexternal circuit for said dynamo, means operated by the charging meansfor connecting said external circuit with the dynamo, a circuitincluding a battery for said starting and charging means, a connectionbetween said circuits whereby when said first circuit is closed saidsecond circuit will be closed and when said first circuit is opened saidsecond circuit will be opened. I

6. The combination with a dynamo, of a prime mover for driving the same,electric starting and charging means for starting said prlme mover,electric power mains from said dynamo, a relay operated by the chargingmeans for making the connection ,between the dynamo and the power mains,and a relay arranged to be operated when a C11- cuit is closed acrosssaid power mains for starting the prime mover.

7. An automatic electric power system comprising a dynamo with a primemover and electric starting and charging means connected'therewith, tworelay windings in one of the power mains from the dynamo, and meansoperated by the charging means for excluding one of said windings fromthe circuit of said power main.

8; The combination of a dynamo and a prime mover for driving the same,and external power mains for supplying current to translating devices, aconnection between said dynamo and prime mover, comprising a centrifugalclutch and a centrifugal speed said d name and prime mover including acentrifugal speed regulator, electro-magnetic means connected with oneof the power mains adapted to act on said centrifugal speed regulator inproportion to the current flowing in said mains, and means to increasethe speed of the prime mover as the current llowing in the mainsincreases.

10. The combination of a dynamo and a prime mover for driving the same,a centrifugal speed regulator for driving the dynamo at a constant speedwhen the current from the dynamo is constant, means for increasing thespeed at which said centrifugal speed regulator drives the dynamo as thecurrent from it increases, and means for increasing the speed of theprime mover as the current from said dynamo increases.

11. ,The combination of a dynamo and a prime lllOVGI for driving thesame, a centrifugal speed regulator for driving said dynamo from saidprime mover at a constant speed when the current from the dynamo isconstant. and means for increasing the speed at which said centrifugalspeed regulator drives the dynamo as its current increases.

12. The combination of a prime mover and a driven member, a centrifugalspeed regulator for driving the driven member at a constant speed undera constant load, means for increasing the speed at which the centrifugalspeed regulator d ives the driven member as its load increases, andmeans for increasing the speed of the prime mover as its load increases.

13. The combination with a driving member and a driven member, eachhaving a shaft. of a coupling element for connecting the driving anddriven members including a centrifugal clutch to be connected to theshaft of the driving member, and a centrifugal speed regulator to beconnected to the shaft of the driven member. and means for regulatingthe speed at which the speed regulator drives said driven shaftresponsive to variations in load on the driven shaft during period ofoperation of the machines.

14. The combination with a driving memher and a driven member, eachhaving a shaft. of a coupling element for connecting the driving anddriven members including a centrifugal clutch to be connected to theshaft of the driving member, a centrifugal speed regulator to beconnected to the shaft of the driven member, and an electro-magnetiedevice adapted to act upon said centrifugal speed regulator in a mannerto vary the operation of the speed regulator.

15. The combination with a driving member and a driven member, eachhaving a shaft. of a coupling member for said shafts including acentrifugal speed regulator to be connected by a shaft of the drivenmember. and means for increasing the speed at which the speed regulatordrives said shaft responsive to an increase in the load on said shaftduring the operation of the machines.

16. The combination with a driving member and a driven member, eachhaving a shaft, of a coupling element for connecting the driving anddriven members including a centrifugal clutch to be connected to theshaft of the driving member, a centrifugal speed regulator to beconnected to the shaft of the driven member, means for adjusting thespeed at which the speed regulator will drive said driven shaft, andmeans for increasing the speed at which the speed regulator drives saidshaft responsive to an increase in the load on said shaft during theoperation of the machines.

17. The combination with a driving member and a driven member, eachhaving a shaft, of a coupling element for connecting the driving anddriven members including a driving element in the form of a cylindricalhousing having a partition therein between its ends and a bearingelement carried by the partition which is adapted to form a bearing andalining element for the ends of the shafts of the driving and drivenmembers. and means within and on opposite sides of the partition of saiddriving element for transmitting the rotation of the driving shaft tothe driven shaft. Y

18. The combination of a dynamo and a prime mover for driving the same,power mains for supplying power to translating devices, a batteryproviding an initial potential across said power mains, starting andchargin'g' means for starting the prime mover and charging the battery,and electro-magnetic means operated by the charging means for connectingthe power mains with the dynamo after it has started.

19. The combination of a dynamo and a prime mover for driving the same,and excternal power mains for supplying current to translating devices,a connection between said dynamo and prime mover including a centrifugalspeed regulator, and electro-magnetie means connected with one of thepower mains for acting on said speed regulator in proportion to thecurrent flowing in said mains. Y

20. The combination of av dynamo with a prime mover for driving thesame, and external powcr mains for supplying current to translatingdevices, means for starting the prime mover when a translating device isconnected with the power mains, storage means for supplying energy tosaid starting means. means for supplying energy to said storage meansand operating to connect the supply mains with said dynamo anddisconneet said starting means during the operation of the prime mover.

21. The combination with a prime mover and a driven member having theirrespective driving and driven shafts in substantially endn'ise alinementwith their ends adjacent to eaeh other. of driving means between theprime meter and driven member consisting of a coupling member extendingover the adjacent ends of said shafts, a centrifugal clutch on thedriving shaft of the prime mover operable to engage said coupling memberafter the [)l'illltllllOVPl' has started. and a centrifugal speedregulatur on the shaft of the driven member in engagement with saidcoupling member but opt-r able to disengage said coupling member in theevent that the coupling member is driven at too high a speed.

HAROLD C. TI'IORNE.

